Bottle washer



Ausl 25, 1941-, J. P. MGKINLEY '4E-r AL `2,253,912

BOTTLE WASHER I5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 27, 1957 Aug. 26, 1941.

J. P. vlvlcKlNLEY Er AL BOTTLE WASHER Filed Jap. 27, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet2 NVENTORS a ATTORNEYS Aug. 26,` 1941. .1. P. McKlNLEY ET Al.

BOTTLE WASHER 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR5 o Maf ATTORNEYS Filed Jan. 27,1937 Patentecl ug. 26, 1,941

BOTTLE WASHER John P'. Mcxinleyan Wilbert P. Anklam, Buffalo, N. Y.;said Ackland assignor to said Mc- Kinley Application January 27, 1937,serial N0. 122,560

17 Claims.

This invention relates to bottle washing mechanism of the type in whichthe bottles are subjected to a series of different cleansing treatments,and where the dirty bottles are introduced at one point, and cleaned andsterilized bottles removed at another point.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved bottle washingmechanism of the type utilizing an endless conveyor with pockets forcarrying the bottles While they are subjected to the various cleansingtreatments, and which will have improved means for tightening theconveyor when such tightening is necessary due to wear, stretching orother causes.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved bottle washingmechanism with improved means for screening foreign matter from thewashing or rinsing liquid which is being rrecirculated and dischargedagainst the bottles for cleansing or rinsing the same, with which thescreen may be easily inspected and removed for cleaning from a positionat the side of the machine in a simple and easy manner, and which willbe relatively simple and inexpensive.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved means fordelivering the :dirty bottles to the endless conveyor which carries thebottles through the various cleansing stations.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved, automaticpre-rinsing device for said bottles and which may form an attachment forexisting types of bottle washing machines, or which may be constructedas a physical part of the bottle washing machines.

Another object ofthe invention isto provide improved pre-rinsingmechanism for bottle washing machines, with which the bottles may rbesubjected to a pre-rinseof relatively long duration before being passedthrough the soaking tank, with which the pre-rinse liquid will bedischarged only while the bottle holders are in selected positions, andwhich will be convenient, compact, efficient and inexpensive.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved means for loadingbottles in vgroups into an endless bottle conveyor, and which will beparticularly simple, effective, convenient and inexpensive. l

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved and simplifiedmechanism for loading bottles to be cleaned into a bottle washingmachine.

Various other objects and advantageswill Vappear from the followingdescription of anembodiment of the invention, and the novel `fea` 55ini;r are identical with one another and are con-` CAB tures will beparticularly pointed out hereinafter in connection with the appendedclaims.

In the accompanying drawings:

.Fig 1V is a side elevation of a bottle washer constructed in accordancewith this invention and having attached thereto a bottle pre-rinse andautomatic loading mechanism constructed in accordance with thisinvention;

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional elevation through a portion of thesame, the section being taken approximately along the line 2 2 of Fig'.1;

Fig.'3 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the same;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional elevation through a portion thereofin a different longitudinal plane than that shown in Fig. 3, andillustrating the improved means for tightening the conveyor chain;

5 is a side elevation of the loading end of the machine, the elevationbeing at the opposite side from that shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 6 is a sectional plan through a portion of the same at thepre-rinse mechanism, the section being taken approximately along theline 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation through a portion of the same, thesection being taken approxi mately along the line I-1 of Fig. 6; and

' Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional elevation through a portion of thesame, the section being taken approximately along the line 8-8 of Fig.7.

In thev illustrated embodiment of the invention, theimproved bottlewashing mechanism is t largely housed in a casing or housing I9 of anysuitable shape and construction, and within this housing and extendingfrom end to end thereof is an endless conveyor II provided with a seriesof pockets I2, Fig. 3, arranged in succession lengthwise of the chain.The pockets are supported in rows, Fig. 6, which extend crosswise of theconveyor, the pockets of the different rows being supported bytransverse frame members I3, Fig.`6, which extend between and aresecured to links I4 forming Vendless chains extending along each sidewall of the housing. The frame members I3 are secured to the links I4,Fig. 4, in any suitable manner such as by bolts I5.

"The links I4 at eachfside of the housing are disposed approximately endto end but in slightly overlapping relation, and are connected by pivotpins I6 which laterally from the connected links and carry rollers I'I.The two endless chains formed of the links I4 at each side of thehousnected by the frame members I3, Fig. 6, so that the two chains willmove in unison with one another and carry the rows of pocketssuccessively from end to end of the housing. The rollers I1 are on theoutside of the conveyor, in close proximity to the inner faces of thevertical side walls of the housing I0, and run on trackways I8 providedon the inner faces of the vertical side Walls of the housing.

Each trackway may be conveniently formed by attaching angle bars orangle strips to the sidewall of the housing, and approximately end toend with one another, so as to provide flanges extending into thehousing from each side thereof upon which flanges the rollers I1 ride.-The trackways I8 are arranged in an approximately endless loop toprovide an upper stretch which is slowly rising towards the loading end,a downwardly and forwardly inclined end stretch at the loading end ofthe machine leading fromAV the upper stretch, a horizontal, lowerstretch running closely along the bottom wall of the housing and leadingfrom the end stretch, and a rising section at the rear end of themachine connecting the upper and lower stretches.

The bottom portion of the housing is made water tight and functions as asoaking tank into which the endless conveyor moves at the loading end`and from which it emerges at the opposite or rear end. The trackway forguiding this lower stretch of the conveyor in the soaker tank may, ifdesired, be formed at each side of the housing of two angular stripswith the projecting ilanges slightly spaced apart, or a channel strip inwhich the rollers |1 run may be used, so as to prevent the conveyor fromdragging on the bottom of the soaker tank or housing. It is undesirableto provide sharp bends where the upper, lower and end sections of theconveyor join one another, and for that reason the trackway` is curvedthrough arcs of substantial radius where the upper and lower stretchesjoin the end sections.

The bottom wall of the housing at the forward or loading end of themachine is curved upwardly as at I9, so as to extend parallel to thecurved trackway for the purpose of acting as a guard to prevent thebottles from dropping out of the pockets as the pockets descend into theso-aker tank. An arcuate guard plate is disposed at the opposite or rearend of the housing and extends upwardly along but spaced from thearcuate trackway at the rear end of the housing, so as to keep thebottles confined in the pockets leaving the soaker tank until thepockets reach a position in which the bottles will be retained thereinby gravity.

The pockets have their ends facing the interior of the closed loop ofthe Conveyor about which they move, small enough so that the bottlescannot pass therethrough, but the outer ends of the pockets are open. Asthe pockets move along the lower stretch with the conveyor, the bottleswill tend to fall out by gravity, but are confined within the pockets byfthe arcuate end walls I9 and 2i) and the bottom wall of the housing.The bottles are kept in the other stretches of the conveyor by gravityas will be observedA from Fig. 3. This type of conveyor is well known inthe art, iand per se forms no part of this invention.

An endless conveyor of'this type has `a tendency to lstretch slightly inuse, and to lengthen slightly through wear, and therefore a limitedadjustment for tightening the chain is desirabley An improved and simplemanner of tightening the chain is illustrated particularly in Figs. 3and 4, Where the arcuate section 2| of the Vtrackway |8 which joins therising end stretch at the rear end of the machine .to the rear end ofthe upper stretch of the trackway I8 is made separate and adjustable.Each arcuate section 2| oi the trackway has its ends 22 ared toward thecenter of the loop slightly so as to guide the rollers I1 smoothly fromone stretch or section to another, and is mounted on a plate 23 disposedalong the adjacent side of the housing. Each plate 23 is provided with aplurality of slots 24 which extend generally parallel to one another andto the bisector of the angle between the rising rear end section of theconveyor and the upper stretch of the conveyor. Bolts 25 pass throughthese lslots and through the side walls of the housing where they carrynuts 26, Fig. l.

A link 21, Fig. 4, is disposed at each side of the housing, and each isconnected at one end by a pin 28 to the adjacent plate 23 and at itsother end it extends through the housing at the rear upper cornerthereof, where it carries a Washer 29 and a nut 30. Thus by tighteningthe nut 30 at each side of the housing the links 21 may be drawnoutwardly so as to slide the plates 23 outwardly, and thus force thearcuate trackway sections 2| outwardly and @tighten the chain orconveyor, as Vshown clearly in Fig. 4. After the desired tighteningmovement, the nuts 26 are tightened, which eiectively locks or clampsthe plate 23 in adjusted positions. The tightening is accomplished bythe adjustable section at the upper part of the housing where there isno danger of leakage of the Washing liquids, and where a very slightmovement of the plates 23 will produce a very effective tightening ofthe conveyor.

A wall 3|, Fig. 3, is provided just above the pockets in the lowerstretch of the conveyor, and the ends of this wall extend upwardly at 32and 33. The wall 3| extends between and connects the -side walls of thehousing so as to pro- Vide a water tight compartment above the soakertank section 34 provided between the Wall 3| and the bottom of thehousing. Transverse walls 35 and 36 project upwardly from the wallV 3|intermediate of its ends and also extend between and connect the sidewalls of the housing so as to form. upwardly opening tanks 31 and 38which lie immediately below the upper stretch of the conveyor and abovethe soaker tank.v A Washing liquid is contained in the tank 31 andrinsing water is contained in the tank 38.

One side wall of the housing which forms a side wall of each of thetanks 31 and 33-is provided wilth outwardly extending, projectingchambers 39 and 40, Figs. 1 and 2. 'Ihese projecting chambers aresomewhat triangular in shape in transverse cross section, as shownclearly in Figs. 1 and 2, and the top Wall 4| of each is removable andprovided with a.k handle 42, to enable access to be had to the interiorof the housing and projecting chamber from the exterior of the housing.These projecting chambers 39 are provided, adjacent or adjoining one ofthe end walls of the tanks 31 and 38, such as adjoining the walls 33 and36, with intermediate, triangular shaped walls 43 and 44, Fig, 3, whichare disposed parallel .to the wall-s 33 and 36 and extend from theprojecting chambers 3S partly across the tanks 31 and 38.

The surfaces of the walls 33 and 43, Fig. 3, which face one another areprovided with guides lspray devices 66. The valve-arm 68 is operated 45and 46, 2, which form between them an linclined guideway or groove 1inwhich 'an'..in-

clined screen 41 is secured by ysliding it downwardly through the upperend of the projecting chamber 39. By removing the cover 4|, onek mayinspect the upper inclined surface of the screen 41, and also remove thescreen by pulling it upwardly along the gui-deways or grooves. formed bythe guides 45 and 46. Thus the screen may be removed for cleaning,repairs or replacement, and be reinserted into the tank merely bysliding it downwardly into position through the projecting chamber 39.The walls 33 and 43 and the screen form a triangular chamber 49 adjacentthe side Yof the housing which communicates with the main body of thetank 31 solely through the surface of .the screen.

An outlet pipe 49 opens through Ythe side wall of the housing I into thecompartment 48, for conducting the washing solution to a pump 58, fromwhich the washing fluid is delivered, by a pipe having suitablebranches, to spray devices which direct it against the bottles in theportion of the upper stretch of the conveyor which is immediately aboveYthe tank 31. Any solid matter washed from the bottles in this mannerwill drop downwardly into the tank 31, and it will be held back by thescreen 41 from entering the pipe 49. where it might clog the pump or thespray devices supplied by the pipe 5|.

The walls 44 and 36 also have between them guideways similar to thoseshown in Fig. 2 for the tank 91, and mount, in the same manner, a screen52 which is insertable and removable through the projecting chamber 48in the manner explained in connection with the screen 41 and chamber 39.Thus, any foreign matter in the tank 38 will be screened out. A pipe 53opens into the tank 83 beneath the screen 52, and thus the entry offoreign matter into the pipe 53 will ce prevented. The pipe 53 connectswith the pump 54 which delivers the rinse water under pressure throughthe pipe '55 to suitable spray devices 56 arranged above the tank 38.

The upper end of the wall 36 is bent horizontally and toward the loadingend of the machine, and provided with upstanding flanges to form a pan51 also disposed beneath the upper stretch of the conveyor. Spraydevices 58 are arranged above the pan 51 for spraying fresh rinsingwater into and upon the bottles in the pockets over the pan 51, and thewater therefrom drains into the pan 51. The drain pipe 59 connects thepan 51 to an overiiow pipe 68 and to the tank 38.

A valve 6| in the pipe 60, and a valve 62 in the connection from thepipe 59 to the tank 38, makes it possible to divert any desired portionof the rinse water from the pan 51 into the tank E8, and the remainder.is delivered through the pipe Eil to a suitable drain. Another pan 63is disposed adjacent the pan 51, but further forwardly, and contains achlorine solution for sterilizing the bottles. A pipe 64, Fig. 3,connects the chlorine tank to a pump, not shown, from which the chlorinewater is delivered by a pipe 55, Fig. l, to a chlorine water spraydevice 66, Fig. 3, where the chlorine water is sprayed into the rinsedbottles.

On the outside of the housing a pair of valves 51, Fig. 1, are arrangedone in front of the other for operation by levers 68 and 69. The valve61 nearest the housing is included in the pipe 95 so as to control thechlorine water supplied to the llo at intervals by a cam 10 mounted on ashaft 1|, Figs. 1' and 3, which is driven through suitable speedreduction mechanism 12 from a motor 13, Fig. 3. The speed reductionmechanism and Vmotor are conveniently disposed'within the housing abovethe wall 9| and beneath the pans 51 and 63.

.A crank arm 14, Fig. 1, Ais also mounted on the shaft 1| and connectedthrough a link or connecting rod 15 to an arm 16 mounted on a shaft 11at the top of the housing. This shaft extends across the top of thehousing and carries a pair of arms 18, Fig. 3, at each side of thehousing which depend into 'the housing and are pivotally connected bypins 19 to feeding dogs 89 which operate on the rollers |1 of theconveyor to feed the same forwardly along the upper stretch of thetrackway. Thus as the motor 13 operates, the dogs 89 will be retractedand then pushed forwardly vso as to impart intermittent increments ofvmovement to the conveyor in a direction to move the upper stretch ofthe` conveyor to the loading end of the machine, and downwardly into thefront end of the soaker tank.

The shaft 1|I extends entirely across the interior of the housing, andupon the outside of the housing at the side opposite the crank arm 14,the shaft 1| is provided with a pair of cams 9| and 82, Fig. 5. The cam82 has a cam groove 83 opening outwardly away from the housing, and aroller orvcam follower 84, provided on an arm 85 runs in the groove 83.The arm 85 is pivoted at 86, and at its free end it is pivoted at 81 toone end of a link 88, the other end of the link being pivoted by a pin89 to an arm 98 fixed on a shaft 9|. The shaft 9| extends across theinterior of the housing, Figs'. 3 and 6, and near each side of thehousing, but within it, a pair of arms 92, Figs. 3 and 6, are fixed onshaft 9| and extend upwardly and rearwardly therefrom.-

The arms 92 at their upper ends have slots 92a which receive a crossmember 93 that at its ends carries rollers 93a. These rollers run inparallel slots 93h in the housing, and a plurality of bottle ejectors 94are pivoted on the member 93. These ejectors 94 at their free endsextend through slots or guides in a plate 95 which is slidingly mountedona support or 'cross bar 96, and shifted vertically'by a screw 91, soas to align the free ends `of the ejectors 94 with the inner ends of thepockets when the pockets are stationary between increments of movementof the conveyor. Thus as the cam 82 rotates, the arm 85 will beoscillated and through the link 88 will oscillate arm and shaft 9|.

This oscillation is so timed by the character of the cam groove S3 thatthe ejectors 94 are forced into the pockets aligned therewith during theinterval while the conveyor is stationary, that is, while the feed dogsare moving to a new feeding position, and the ejectors 94 upon enteringthe bottle pockets forcibly eject the bottles therefrom. The ejectedbottles are received upon a pivoted `Support 98, which at the propertime is rocked upwardly to deposit the bottles resting thereon upon aconveyor device 99 as usual in this type of washer. Continued'movementof the cam 82 rocks the shaft 9| and the arms 92 to retract the ejectors94 before the next forward movement of the feeding dogs 88.

At one side of the housing, the shaft 9| hasy fixed thereon an arm |89,Figs. 1 and 6, and the upper end of this arm is connected by a link IBI'to'a crank arm |02 loose on a stub shaft |03 of a pre-rinse and loadingmechanism which will now be described. A loading element |04 has thestub shaft |03 at one end thereof and a corresponding and aligned stubshaft |05 at the other end thereof, by which the element |04 may besuitably mounted for rotation about an approximately horizontal axis.The stub, shafts |03 and |05 are rotatably mounted in bearings providedin the end walls of an auxiliary housing |06 which fits against thefront end of the housing I0. The stub shaft |03, after passing throughthe end wall of the housing |06 carries a ratchet wheel |01 xed thereon,this wheel having ratchet teeth upon its periphery.

A ratchet pawl |08 is pivoted on the pin which connects the link to thecrank arm |02, and at its free end it rides upon the periphery ofratchet wheel |01 so as to engage with the ratchet teeth thereof. Thecrank arm |02 extends upwardly from the shaft |03 and the pawl |08 isurged downwardly by gravity Iinto engagement with the ratchet teeth ofthe ratchet wheel |01. Thus as the shaft 9| oscillates, the arm |00 willalso oscillate and through the link |0| it will rock the loose crank arm|02 about the shaft |03. During the oscillation of the arm |02 in onedirection, the pawl |08 will engage with the teeth of the ratchet wheeland turn it through a fraction of a rotation, and then when the arm |02oscillates in the other direction, the pawl |08 will be retracted to aposition in the rear of another ratchet wheel tooth.

In the particular illustrated embodiment, there are four ratchet teethprovided in the periphery of the ratchet wheel |01, and those teeth areevenly spaced around the periphery of the ratchet wheel, so that eachtime that the arm |00 oscillates, it will cause the rotation of theelement |04 through la quarter revolution. During the idle oscillationof the crank arm |02, the pawl will ride idly over the ratchet wheel andthe rotary element |04 will remain stationary in the position into whichit has been moved. Thus the oscillation of the arm |00 impartsincrements of rotary movement to the element |04 intermittently, withequal periods, between said movements, in which the element |04 isstationary.

The element |04 is provided with a plurality of rows of pockets |09, therows extending parallel to the axis of rotation of the element |04. Thecorresponding pockets of the different rows are arranged angularly aboutthe axis of rotation of the element |04, with the corresponding pocketsof the different rows in transverse alignment with one another in suchangular arrangement about the faxis of rotation of the element |04. Thecorresponding pockets of the different rows diverge from one another ina direction outwardly from `adjacent the axis of rotation of theelement, and are open at their outer ends. Preferably the pockets ofeach row are disposed, at their inner or closed ends, against thefsidewall of the next row of pocke-ts in the direction of rotation of thepockets, this arrangement being clearly shown in Fig. 3.

In each rotation of the element |04 the different rows of pockets |09will occupy four succesive angular positions about their axis ofrotation, .the four different positions which they oocupy during theretraction of the pawl |08 being shown particularly in Figs. 1 and 3.Guard means 0 is disposed beneath the element |04 along the path oftravel of the open ends of the pockets, and extends from a positionapproximately at the level of the axis of rotation of the element at thefront side, or the side where the open ends of the pockets are movingdownwardly, to a position which is in a level somewhat below thehorizontal plane through the axis of rotation of element |04. Thus theguard means ||0 along which the open ends of the pockets move while thepockets are in inverted positions, will conne within the pockets anybottles which are placed in the pockets while the pockets are in eitherof the upper positions, that is, the positions in which the pockets openupwardly.

The guard means ||0 terminates at the lower edge of the row of pocketswhich are in inverted position at the rising side, that is, the sideadjacent the conveyor, so that bottles contained in the pockets in thatposition adjacent the conveyor may fall by gravity from the pockets andslide directly into the pockets of the conveyor chain which are inalignment therewith. The shafts 1| and 9|, through their connections,operate in synchronized relation to one another so that when theconveyor is stationary, that is, during the time when the feeding pawlsare moving backwardly to a new feeding position and the conveyor isstationary, `the arm |00 will be moved forwardly to feed ythe element|04 through one-fourth of a revolution.

Cam 82 is so designed that before the conveyor is fed forwardly by thepawls 80, the arm |00 has moved back into its normal position, ready for.a new feeding operation on the element |04, and consequently thepockets |09 Iare rotated so as to be carried into discharge position inalignment with the pockets of the conveyor only when the conveyor isidle. Since the shaft 9| is operated from the cam 82, the ejectors 94are fully retracted before the conveyor moves, and Ithe shaft 9| remainsstationary until after the conveyor has completed its full increment ofmovement. The pockets |09 are therefore not moving throughout the entireperiod while the conveyor is inactive, but only through a portion of thetime when this conveyor is inactive. The cam 82 so times the incrementsof rotation of the element |04, that a row of pockets is not broughtinto discharge position in ailgnment with a row of pockets of theconveyor at the loading position, until after the conveyor has completedits full increment of movement and is inactive again.

Where it is desired to use gravity as the major force for ejecting thebottles from the pockets in the rotary element |04, the longitudinalaxes of the pockets of the row which is in loading position preferablymake an angle of from 20 to 35 degrees to the horizontal. The best angleappears to be approximately 30 degrees, because at that angle of thepockets, ythe bottles slide freely and promptly from the pockets of therotary element |04 into the pockets of the conveyor without too great aforce which tends to chip' or break the bottles as they strike thepockets of the conveyor. It is entirely feasible, however, to have thepockets make a lesser angle to the horizontal, or even be horizontal,when in discharge position but in that case mechanical or additionalmeans must be provided for ejecting. the bottles from the pockets of therotary element |04 and depositing them into the aligned pockets of thelconveyor at the loading position.

For this-purpose the pockets |09 of each row arefprovided'with alignedslots III which extend from the inner ends of the pockets substantiallyto the open ends thereof, and rods I|2 extend through the pockets ofeach row and the slots I I I thereof from end to end of the element |04.These rods ||2 project slightly from the ends of the element |04, asshown clearly in Fig. 6. Since the slots III extend in a directionendwise of the pockets, it will be observed that when the pockets are sopositioned that they open upwardly, the rods ||2 will descend by gravityto the inner ends of the pockets, where they will be out of the way whenbottles are placed in those pockets. When the pockets |09 movedownwardly along the guard means IIO, however, the Vrods will tend tofall by gravity and urge the bo-ttles in those pockets downwardly, butthe guard means ||.0 will retain the bottles within the pockets 'duringsuch movement.

When the pockets |09 reach the loading position, where the guard meansI| no longer is effective to keep the bottles within the downwardlyopening pockets, the rods will add their downward urge to that ofgravity on the bottles to eject them from the pockets of the rotaryelement and thus discharge them into the aligned pockets of theconveyor. As the pockets move upwardly, however, from loading position,the rods II2 will move again to the bottoms of the pockets so as to beout of the way when any bottles are placed in the upwardly openingpockets. When the pockets in the horizontal discharge position have anangle of from 25 to 30 degrees, I found that the rods I|2 are seldomnecessary to insure a discharge of all of the bottles from the pocketsk|09. This is true even though bottles of different size are usedY inthepocketsof the element |04.

It may in some instances be desirable to guardv against any possibilityof the bottles sticking in the pockets |09 while in discharge position,and for that purpose I may employ positive means for operating the rodsI|2 toward the open ends of the pockets |09 while the pockets are indischarge position. The means for accomplishing this positive dischargeof bottles will now be described.

kAn arm I I3, Figs. and 6, is fixed on the shaft 9| exteriorly of thehousing body at one side thereof. Pivoted to the free end of this arm||3 is a link ||4 which extends into the auxiliary housing |00 andterminates in a hook ||5 which extends horizontally into a position toengage behind the projecting endsv ofthe rods ||2` of those pockets indischarge position. end of the link ||4 is positioned to ride upon aprojecting iiange of an angle bar IIB secured to the inner face oftheend wall of the housing |09, and inclined downwardly toward theconveyor from adjacent the stub shaft |05. To prevent sidewisedisplacement of the free end of the hook from the angle strip IIS, thelatter is provided with a slot II'I which runs for substantially itsfull length, and a lug ||8 depends from the free end of the link |I4 andruns freely in the slot ||'I.

When the shaft 9| moves in a direction to cause a turning movement'ofthe element "|04, the hook ||5 will ride up the incline provided by theangle strip I I6 into a position in which it i-s between the axis ofrotation of the element |04 and the ends of the rods ||2 of the pockets|09 that are in discharge or loading position, The rotary increment ofmovement of the element |04 The free Y the hook is kcompleted at the endof the oscillation of the shaft 9| in this one direction, and duringsuch increment of movement a new row of pockets |09 was brought up intothe discharge position where it is just uncovered by the guard means I0.At this time the bottles should slide freely by gravity from the pocketsin discharge position, aided by the weight of the rod ||2 of that row ofpockets, but if they do not, as soon as the shaft 9| begins its returnmovement in the opposite direction back to starting position, the armI|3 will, through 'the link I I4, pull t-he hook I5 towardthe endlessconveyor.

Since the rod 2 of that row of pockets in discharge position is thenimmediately in alignment with the path of movement of the hook I5, thelatter will engage the rod ||2 and pull it downwardly to the other endof the slots and thus forcibly start or eject all the bottles from thatrow of pockets |09. The angle of inclination of the bar IIS is of courseapproximately the same as the angle of inclination of the slots of thatrow of pockets which is in discharge position adjacent the endlessconveyor. The length of the arm ||3 is such that for its given arc ofoscillation, the hook ||5 has the desired rectilinear movement along theangle bar or guide ||6.

When the shaft 9| again starts its oscillation in a direction to causean increment of rotation ofthe pockets |09 of the rotary loading element|04, the hoo-k I5 will of course move' away from the rod'I I2 of thatrow of pockets with which it just cooperated to eject the bottles, butsince I5 extends sidewise -from the link I I4, the rotation of therotary loading element will carry the rod I2 of that row `of pocketsupwardly in an arcuate path and thus laterally away from the hook ||5,so that even if rotation of the pockets |09 should begin before the hook|I5 has moved backwardly to any substantial extent, the rod I |2 wouldclear the hook I I5 anyway.

Thearm |00, at the opposite end of the shaft 9| from arm ||3, is forkedat its free end, and to the free end of that arm, that is, to one of theforks of the arm |00, one end of a link I9 which corresponds `to thelink ||4 'is pivoted. The link II 9 at its free end rides upon an angle-bar or guide |20 which corresponds to the guide or bar ||6 and isprovided with a slot |2| which corresponds in function to the slot II'I. The free end of the link I9 is provided with a laterally extendinghook |22, which correspondsI to the hook ||5 of the link II4, and thishook |22 engages v with the opposite end of the same rod |I2` which isengaged by the hook H5. The links ||4 and |I9 thus operatesimultaneously in the same directions and engage both ends of the VrodH2 which is associated with that row of pockets |09 which is indischarge position at any time, so as to eject the bottles forcibly fromthat row of pockets if the bottles do not themselves leave the pocketsbygravity.

The cam 8|, Fig. 5, on its face toward the Vhousing I0 has an endlesscam groove in which increments of a quarter revolution, into thedischarge or loading position where the bottles may descend into thealigned pockets of the conveyor II in the main housing III. This makesit possible to load the bottles into both upwardly opening rows ofpockets |09 and be certain that the bottles in the pockets when theyreach the discharge position will be discharged quickly as a unit intothe pockets of the washer conveyor. This is an advantage over theinsertion of the bottles into the washer conveyor pockets manually ordirectly, because the attendant may forget and attempt to insert abottle into a pocket of the washer conveyor just as the conveyor isstarting to move, with the result that the partially inserted bottle maybe caught and crushed by its engagement against the housing of thewasher.

The attendant will first fill the row of pockets which are about to movealong the guard IIB, and then proceed to fill the central upstanding rowof pockets |89. Thus the attendant will not be as likely to attempt toinsert dirty bottles into the pockets as they are about to move alongthe guard means IIB, with resultant decrease of danger of the bottlesbeing caught and crushed, and yet a full charge of bottles will beplaced in the washer conveyor at the proper time.

It will be understood that applicant proposes to use safety features tostop the machine in case a bottle is caught while imperfectly insertedinto the pockets of the washer conveyor or into the pockets |93, oryielding drives for the washer conveyor I I or element |94 may beutilized. Such details have been omitted in the present disclosurebecause they are well known expedients, and in themselves are not a partof the present invention. Their omission from the present disclosurehowever, is not intended to mean that any of such safety devices cannotbe appllied to the machine herein disclosed, because such safety devicesare incorporated in the machines as actually built and installed.

In many instances it is desirable to subject the dirty bottles to apre-rinsing operation or t a preliminary cleansing operation before theyenter the soaking tank 34. A pre-rinsing or precleansing operation maybe incorporated in the loading device, and is a part of this invention.For this purpose the housing |96 extends below the guard means H9, so asto form a drain pan |26, Fig. 3, and a drain pipe |21 leads from thispan to any suitable drain. In the pan |26 and below, but adjacent to1the guard means IIB, are

a row of spray devices |28 which are arranged to discharge sprays ofpre-rinsing or pre-cleansing liquid into the downwardly opening pocketsthat are temporarily closed by the guard means I I9.

The spray devices |28 are so arranged along the path of travel of theopen ends of the pockets |09, that when the open ends of the downwardlyinclined pockets at the guard means H9 occupy their positions of restbetween increments of rotation, as shown in Fig. 3, the spray deviceswill discharge the rinsing or cleansing liquid upwardly into theinteriors as well as against the exteriors o f the bottles in thosepockets, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 3. Thus the bottles will besubjected to a pre-rinsing or precleansing treatment of substantialduration before they are discharged into the washer conveyor, and anyforeign matter in the bottles that can be loosened by this preliminarytreatment will drain out into the pan |26 and be carried off, whichresults in a decrease in the contamination or fouling of the liquid inthe soaking tank. This pre-rinsing liquid may, if desired, be heated tosome extent, so as to temper the dirty bottles before they are placed inthe washer conveyor and carried into the soaker tank where the soakingliquid may have a relatively high temperature. It will be understood,however, that either hot or cold liquid may be used as the pre-rinsingmedium.

Liquid is supplied to the spray devices |28 by a pipe |29, Fig. 1, whichpasses along a side of the housing I9 to any suitable source of liquidunder pressure. In the preferred embodiment, the pipe |29 contains theone of the pair of valves 61 which is furthest from the housing l0, andthis valve is operated by the arm B9. The arm 69 has a roller |33 at itsfree end which is engageable and operable by the periphery of a cam I3Iprovided on the shaft 1|. The cam |3I is so designed that thepre-rinsing Or pre-cleansing will take place only during the interval inwhich the rotary loading element |34 is stationary. The pipe |29 beyondthe valve 6T is preferably connected to the vpipe 55 which deliversrinsing liquid to the bottles under pressure from the pumps 54, and thuswe have a convenient, yet satisfactory source of the rinsing fluid.

In order to provide convenient access to the motor and speed reductiongearing which are placed within the housing I0, the side walls of thehousing beneath the pan 57 are provided with openings |32. The top andrear end of the housing may also be provided with a plurality of covers|33 to enable access to be had conveniently to diiferent parts of theinterior of the housing I9.

It is believed that the operation of the mechanism will be clear fromthe foregoing description, but it will be briefly described. With thedevice assembled as illustrated and above described, the endlessconveyor within the housing I0 may be tightened as necessary by firstloosening the nuts 26, then turning the nuts 39 to draw the plates 23outwardly until the conveyor has the desired tautness, after which thenuts 26 are again tightened so as to clamp the adjustable sections 2| ofthe trackway I8 in the adjust-ed positions. The positions of the partsshown in the drawings are approximately those occupied at the end of thefeeding operation of the endless conveyor, at which time the conveyorfeeding pawls 8|! are at their forward limit of movement, as shown inFig. 3. During continued operation of the motor 13, the pawls will beretracted and in retraction will ride idly over the rollers II of theconveyor.

The cam 82 will shift the shaft 9| in a direction to carry the armtoward the pre-rinse and loading mechanism, and immediately cause aquarter revolution of the rotary loading element |64. The cam 82 may, ifdesired, start the rotation of element |04 slightly before thecompletion of each increment of movement of the washer conveyor, so longas the pockets |09 do not reach discharge position until the washerconveyor has substantially completed its increment of movement. At thesame time the links |I4 and ||9 will ride up the inclined bars or guidesIIB and |20 so as to position the hooks |I5 and |22 adjacent the axis ofrotation of element |94. At the same time, the bottle ejectors 94 willbe voperated to eject bottles from the pockets of the conveyor alignedtherewith, which then fall upon the rest 98. The `cam 82 immediatelyreturns the shaft 9| to its former position into the interiors of thebottles.

shown in thejdrawings, at which time the bottle ejectors 94 areretracted to normal, inactive pcsitions shown in Fig. 3. At the end oithe increment of movement of the loading element |04, the bottles in therow of pockets |69 which have moved into loading position, are`discharged into those pockets of the endless conveyor which are then inalignment with those pockets |39 of 'the loading element.

If the bottles are not so discharged, the hooks and |22 will engage theends of rod.||2 of that row of pockets, and forcibly eject the bottlestherefrom as the shaft 9| returns to its normal position. Following. theejection of the bottles from the endless conveyor upon the support 98,the latter is operated to set them upright by cam 8l, arm |23, link |24and |crank arm |25. As soon as the rotary loading element H34 hasapproximately completed each increment of movement, the cam |3I, Fig. 1,will depress the arm 69 and open valve 61 to -direct'the prerinsingliquid to the spray vdevices |23, andthe spray so delivered will bedirected upwardly into the inverted pockets in alignment therewith andAny foreign matter loosened by the pre-rinse liquid will drain out intothe pan |26, and be removed in the drain |21.

It will be understood that the guard means H0 may consist of a series ofarcuate straps or strips with spaces between them or apertures throughwhich the jets of pre-rinse liquid are delivered into theinverted'pockets of the loading element. While the element |04 isinactive, the operator completes the lling of the upright pockets |09,and then continuous operation of the shaft 1| will cause another forwardinerement of movement of the endless conveyor l i of the washer. Whilethe endless conveyor ll is stationary, however, the bottles over pan 63will be subjected to a chlorine rinse,'that is, a rinse with chlorinewater, as explained. The screens 41 and 52 are inspectedat intervals,Yafter removing the covers 42 of the projecting chambers 39 and 40, andwhen they Ybecome clogged they are removed and cleaned and then replacedby sliding them back into working positions.

It will be observed that with the rotary loading element |04, it ispossible to obtain an unusually long period of rest therefor, duringwhich the bottles are subjected to the pre-rinsing liq uid.

It will be understood that variousY changes in the details, which havebeen herein described and illustrated in order tolr explain the natureof the invention, may be made by those skilled in the art within theprinciple and scope of the invention as expressed in the appendedclaims.

We claim as our invention:

l. In a bottle Washing mechanism. bottle-con,- veying means having aplurality of pockets arranged to -move in succession through loadingposition and movable intermittently through increments oi' movement, .aloading element mounted for rotation about an approxirnot, horizontalaxis and disposed adjacent said l ing position and having a plurality ofbottle receiving pockets arranged angularly about the axis of rotationof said element. with the pockets above said axis exposed to receivebottles and opening outwardly and extending outwardly from adjacent theaxis of rotation,.a guard disposed below said loading element inproximity to the path of travel of the open ends of said loadingpockets, so that when said loading element is rotated, any bottlesdisposed in said pockets'will be retained lin the pockets by said guardas the open ends of the pockets move downwardly,l the direction ofrotation of said loading element being such that the pockets are movingupwardly as they pass said loading position, and said guard terminatingapproximately at said loading position so that as each pocket moveskupwardly past the edge of said guard at said loading position, the openend of that Docket will be uncovered by said guard and any bottle inthat pocket may move into a pocket in said conveying means at loadingposition, means for imparting increments of movement to said conveyingmeans separated by periods of inaction. means synchronized with saidmovement imparting means for rotating said loading element through aportion of a revolution during each of said periods of inaction andalways in said direction and inactive on said loading element while saidconveying means is in movement. and spray means disposed adjacent saidguard in a position to spray jets of rinsing fluid into the loadingpockets through the open ends thereof while said pockets are in invertedposition and inactive with their open ends along said guard.

2. In a bottle washing mechanism, the combination of bottle conveyingmeans having a series of conveyor pockets arranged in succession alongthe same, means for imparting increments of movement to said conveyingmeans intermittently so as to carry the Vconveyor pockets thereof insuccession through a vloading position, said pockets having open endsfacing outwardly, a rotary loading element mounted for rotation adjacentsaid loading position and about an approximately horizontal axis, saidloading element having a plurality of pockets arranged angularly aboutsaid axis ofV rotation and Ydiverging outwardly with respect to oneanother from adjacent said axis and withsaid pockets of said elementmoving upwardly while passing adjacent said loading position, saidpockets of said element being exposed and open at their outer endswhereby they may be loaded with bottles with their open ends outermostwhen in upper positions and may discharge bottles therefrom when passingsaid loading position, a guard disposed adjacent thev path of travel `ofsaid pockets of said element while in inverted positions, means forimparting increments of rotation to said loading element intermittentlyin synchronized relation to the movements of said conveying means, andspray means disposed along the path of travel of the open ends of saidpockets of said element as said pockets travel under said axis with thebottles in inverted positions for spraying inverted bottles in saidinverted pockets with a pre-rinse liquid.

3. In a bottle washing mechanism, a pre-rinsing device comprising anelement mounted for y rotation about an approximately horizontal axisand having a plurality of pockets arranged angularly about said axis ofrotation and diverging with respect to one another outwardly fromadjacent said axis, the outer ends of said pockets being open for theentry or discharge of bottles, means for rotating said element aboutsaid axis by intermittent increments of rotation, but always in the samedirection, a guard disposed below said element and extending-from aposition approximately in the same level as said axis, at the side Where`the open ends of the pockets are moving'downwardly during rotation ofsaid element, beneath said element and partially up the other side ofthe element, and there terminating, said element in a zone above thelevel of said axis being exposed for the insertion of bottles into theupwardly opening pockets, said guard being disposed in proximity to thepath of travel of the open ends of said pockets so as to confine withinsaid pockets any bottles placed therein while the pockets openedupwardly, throughout movement of said pockets in inverted positionsuntil said pockets reach a selected position in their rising movementdetermined by the terminus of said guard, whereupon any bottles in therising pockets may be discharged with the aid of gravity, and spraymeans located beneath said element for spraying a liquid into theinverted pockets while the pockets are in a position to drain.

4. In a bottle washing mechanism, a pre-rinsing device comprising anelement mounted for rotation about an approximately horizontal axis andhaving a plurality of pockets arranged angularly about said axis ofrotation and diverging with respect to one another outwardly fromadjacent said axis, the outer ends of said pockets being open for theentry or discharge of bottles, a guard disposed below said element andextending from a position approximately in the same level as said axis,at the side where the open ends of the pockets are moving downwardlyduring rotation of said element, beneath said element and partially upthe other side of the element, and there terminating at a level belowsaid axis of rotation, said guard being disposed in proximity to thenath of travel of the open ends of said pockets so as to coniine withinsaid pockets any bottles placed therein while the pockets openedupwardly, throughout movement of said pockets in inverted positionsuntil said pockets reach a selected position in their rising movementdetermined by the terminus of said guard, whereupon any bottles in therising pockets may be discharged with the aid of gravity, a gravitydevice associated with each pocket and movable in a direction endwiseor" the pocket for urging bottles in each inverted pocket downwardly ina discharging direction, and means adjacent said guard for directing apre-rinse stream of liquid upwardly into each inverted bottle while thebottle is conned in a pocket by said guard.

5. In a bottle washing mechanism, a pre-rinsing device comprising anelement mounted for rotation about an approximately horizontal axis andhaving a plurality of pockets arranged angularly about said axis ofrotation and diverging with respect to one another outwardly fromadjacent said axis, the outer ends of said pockets being open for theentry or discharge of bottles, a guard disposed below said element andextending from a position approximately in the same level as said axis,at the side where the open ends of the pockets are moving downwardlyduring rotation of said element, beneath said element and partially upthe other side of the element, and there terminating at a level belowsaid axis of rotation, said guard being disposed in proximity to thepath of travel of the open ends of said pockets so as to conne withinsaid pockets any bottles placed therein while the pockets openedupwardly, throughout movement of said pockets in inverted positionsuntil said pockets reach a selected position in their rising movementdetermined by the terminus of said guard, whereupon any bottles in therising pockets may be discharged with the aid of gravity,

spray means located beneath said element for spraying a liquid into theinverted pockets while the pockets are in a position to drain, and agravity device associated with each pocket and movable in a directionendwise of the pocket for urging bottles in each inverted pocketdownwardly in a discharging direction.

6. In a bottle washing mechanism or the like, an element mounted forrotation about an approximately horizontal axis and having a pluralityof bottle receiving pockets arranged angularly about said axis ofrotation of said element, and diverging from one another outwardly fromadjacent said axis, the outer ends of said pockets being open, a guardbeneath said element and extending along the path of travel of the openends of said pockets from a position beginning at one side of theelement where the pockets are descending, to the opposite side where thepockets are rising and there terminating, whereby bottles loaded in anyof said pockets while those pockets are upright will be confined by saidguard in said pockets while travelling along said guard, and thenreleased at the rising side, and means for imparting increments ofrotary movement to said element, always in the same direction, and spraymeans disposed to discharge a liquid into the downwardly opening pocketsagainst bottles confined therein by said guard.

'7. In a bottle washing mechanism or the like, an element mounted forrotation about an approximately horizontal axis and having a pluralityof bottle receiving pockets arranged angularly about said axis ofrotation of said element, and diverging from one another outwardly fromadjacent said axis, the outer ends of said pook-ets being open, a guardbeneath said element and extending along the path of travel of the openends of said pockets from a position at approximately the midheightpoint of said element at one side of the element where the pockets aredescending, past the lowest point of said element to the opposite sidewhere the 4 pockets are rising and there terminating at an on the risingside to be discharged, bottle conveying means having a series ofconveyor pockets arranged in succession along the same, means forimparting increments of movement to said conveying means intermittently,so as to carry the conveyor pockets in succession into` approximatealignment with the pockets of said element as the latter are rising andclear said guard, so that bottles discharged from the rising pockets ofsaid rotary element may move into pockets of said conveyor, means formoving said rotary element in the same direction through increments ofrotation intermittently but in synchronized relation to the movement ofsaid conveyor means, with said conveyor means inactive while said rotaryelement is in motion and vice versa, and a spray device associated withsaid guard for spraying a liquid into the pockets while inverted andadjacent said guard.

8. In a bottle washing mechanism or the like, an element mounted forrotation about an approximately horizontal axis and having a plu--rality of bottle receiving pockets arranged angularly about said axis ofrotation of said element, and` diverging from one another'outwardly fromadjacent said axis, the-outer ends-of said pockets being open, a guardbeneath -said element and extending along the path of travel of the openends of said pockets-from a vposition at approximately the midheig'htpoint of -said element at one side of the element where the pockets aredescending, past the lowest point of said element to the opposite -sidewhere the pockets are rising, and there terminating in an intermediatepoint on the rising side, whereby bottles loaded in any of said pocketswhile the pockets are opening upwardly, and with the open ends ofthebottles outermost, will be conned by said guard in saidl pockets whiletravelling along said guard, and then released at the rising side to bedischarged, bottle conveying means having a series of conveyor pocketsarranged in succession along the same, means for imparting increments ofmovement to said conveying means intermittently, so as to carry theconveyor pockets in succession into approximate alignment with thepockets of said element as the latter are rising and have cleared saidguard, so that bottles released from the rising pockets of said rotaryelement may enter into pockets of said conveyor, means for moving saidrotary element always in the same direction through increments ofrotation intermittently but in synchronized relation to the movement ofsaid conveyor means, means operable while pockets of said conveyor meansand element are aligned as the rising pockets of said element clear saidguard, for urging bottles released by said guard into the alignedpockets of said conveyor means, and a spray device associated with saidguard forspraying a liquid into the pockets while inverted and adjacentsaid guard.

9. In a bottle washing mechanism, a. loading element mounted forrotation in one direction about an approximately horizontal axis, andhaving a plurality of bottle receiving pockets arranged angularly aboutsaid axis, in approximate transverse alignment with one another,diverging from one another outwardly from said axis, and open at theirouter ends, means for rotating said element in one direction byintermittent increments of movement, guard means extending beneath saidelement from close proximity to a horizontal plane through said axis andclose to the downwardly opening ends of sai-d pockets to a point well upon the rising side of said element for confining bottles in said pocketswhile said pockets pass beneath said axis of said element to a desireddischarge position at the side where the pockets rise, and spray meansfor di'- recting a spray of liquid into ea-ch of said pockets while inone inverted position along said guard means.

10. In a bottle washing mechanism, a loading element mounted forrotation in one direction about an approximately horizontal axis, andhaving a plurality of bottle receiving pockets arranged angularly aboutsaid axis, in approximate transverse alignment with one another, di-

verging from one another outwardly from said axis, and open at theirouter ends, the base of each pocket abutting against the side of thenext adjacent pocket in the direction of rotation, guard means extendingbeneath said element and close to the downwardly openings ends of Asaidpockets for conning bottles in said pockets while said pockets passbelow the axis of Vsaid elementV to a desired discharge position at theside where the'pockets rise, means'f'or imparting rotary increments ofmovement to said element ,intermit-` tently, vindividual gravityYactuated means associated with each pocket for engaging andv urgingoutwardly any bottlesin that pocket while said pocket is in saiddischarge position, and means 4forspositively actuating said gravityactuating means of the pocket in unloading position if it fails tooperate by gravity. Y f

1l. In a bottle washing mechanism or the like, a loading element mountedVfor rotation about an approximately horizontal axis and having a plu-vrality ofY rows of Y bottle receiving pocketswith the rows-runningapproximately parallel to `said axisand the different rows arrangedangularly about said axis, said pockets of the different rows divergingfrom one another outwardly from adjacent said axis, the outer endsofsaid pockets being open, a guard beneath said relement and extendingalong the path of travel of the open ends of said pockets to confinebottles therein from a position at one side of the element where thepockets are descending to the opposite side where the pockets arerising,V aVA washerhaving a conveyor with rows of pockets thereinmovable past one side of said element in proximity tothe open ends ofthepockets thereof and beyond the end of said guard at therising sidethereof;A means for imparting increments of movement to said conveyor tobring successive rows of pockets thereof into aligned positions with'pockets of said element at the rising side thereof, a mem# berextending along each row of pockets and shiftable in a directionlengthwise of the pockets of that row to eject bottles from that row,means4 operable in synchronized relation tothe. active' and inactiveperiods of movement of said conveyor for imparting increments ofrotation to said element in a manner to cause the pockets to ris'e atthe side 'adjacent said conveyor, 'and means also operable by saidrotatingmeans be.

plurality of rows of bottle receiving pockets withV the rows runningapproximately parallel to said axis and the diierent rows arrangedangularly about said axis, said pockets of the diiferent rows divergingfrom one another outwardly from adjacent said axis, the outer ends ofsaid pockets'y being open, a guard beneath said element and extendingalong the path of travel of the open: ends of said pockets to connebottles therein from a positionat one side of the element where thepockets are descending to the opposite side where the pockets arerising, a washer having a conveyor with rows of pockets therein movablepast one side of said element in proximity to the open ends of thepockets thereof and beyond the end of said guard at the rising sidethereof, means for imparting increments of movement to said conveyor tobring successive rows of pockets thereof into aligned positions withpockets of said element at the rising side thereof, a member extendingalong each rows of pockets and shiftable in a direction lengthwise ofthe pockets of that row to eject bottles from that row, `means operablein synchronized relationV vand inactive 'periods of movement of saidcon- O the active veyor for imparting increments o f rotation to saidyelement win a nmanner to cause the pockets to rise at the side adjacentsaid conveyor, and means also operable by said rotating means lbetweenthe increments of rotation of said element for engaging the member ofthe row of pockets at the side nearest the conveyor and pulling thatmember in a direction outwardly of the pockets to -discharge b ottlestherefrom and into the pockets of said conveyor, said last named meansincluding a hooked member which allows advance of the pocket member in adirection outwardly of the pockets separately from said hooked member,whereby said pocket member is free to move by gravity, but if not movedby gravity will be positively moved by said hooked member.

13. In a bottle washing mechanism or the like,v a loading elementmounted for rotation about an approximately horizontal axis and having aplnrality of rows of bottle receiving pockets with the rows runningapproximately parallel to said axis and the different rows arrangedangularly about said axis, said pockets of the ldifferent rows divergingfrom one another outwardly from adjacent saidaxisfthe outer ends of saidpockets being open, a guard beneath said element and extending along thepath of travel of the open ends of said pockets to confine bottlestherein from a position at, one side of the element where the pocketsare descending to the opposite side where the pockets are rising, awasher having a conveyor .with rows of pockets therein movable past oneside of said element in proximity to the open ends of the pocketsthereof and be,- yond the end of said guard at the rising side thereof,means for imparting Yincrements `of movement to said conveyor to bringsuccessive rows of pockets thereof into aligned positions with pocketsof said element at the rising side thereof, a member extending alongeach row of pockets and shiftable in a direction lengthwise o f thepockets of that row to eject bottles from that row, means operable insynchronized relation to the active'and inactive periods of movement ofsaid conveyor for imparting increments of rotation to said element in amanner to cause the pockets to rise at the side adjacent said conveyor,means also operable by said rotating means between the increments ofrotation of said element for engaging the member of the roW of pocketsat the side nearest the conveyor and pulling that member in a directionoutwardly of the pockets to discharge bottles therefrom and into thepockets of said conveyor, said last named means including a hookedmember which allows advance of the pocket member in a directionoutwardly of the pockets separately from said hooked member, wherebysaid pocket member is free to move by gravity, but if not moved bygravity will be positively moved by said hooked member, and meansYoperable to cam said hooked member to a position in the rear of thatpocket member of the row which is at the side ladjacent the conveyor,duringeach increment of rotation of said element.

A14. In a bottle washing mechanism or the like, a loading elementmounted for rotation about an approximately horizontal axis and having aplurality of rows of bottle receiving pockets with the rows runningapproximately parallel to said axis and the dilerent rows arrangedanguiarly about said axis, said pockets ofthe different rows divergingfrom one another outwardly from adjacent said axis, the outer ends ofsaid pockets being open, a guard beneath said element and extendingalong the path of travel of the open ends Vof said pockets to connebottles therein from a position at one side of the element where thepockets are descending to the opposite side where the pockets arerising, a washer having a conveyor with rows of pockets therein movablepast one side of said element in proximity to the open ends of thepockets thereof and beyond the end of said guard at the rising sidethereof, means for imparting increments of movement to said conveyor tobring successive rows of pockets thereof into aligned positions withpockets of said element at the rising side thereof, a member extendingalong each row of pockets and shiftable in a direction lengthwise of thepockets of that row to eject bottles from that row, a ratchet wheelconnected to said element, a pawl device operating on said ratchetWheel, a link connected to said conveyor moving means for movementgenerally end wise thereby, said pawl device being active on saidratchet wheel to move it when said conveyor is idle, a hooked memberalso connected to said moving means for operation with said link andfree to swing vertically and be hooked to the member of the row ofpockets at the side adjacent the conveyor as such pockets movesuccessively into those positions, and means for guiding said hookedmember into hooked engagement with the member of the row of pockets atthe side adjacent said conveyor during the propelling action of saidpawl device on said ratchet wheel and operable on the pocket member withwhichit is hooked in a direction outwardly of the pocketsduring themovement of said link while said pawl device is inactive on said ratchetwheel.

15. In a bottle washing mechanism or the like, a loading element mountedfor rotation about an approximately horizontal axis and having aplurality of rows of bottle receiving pockets with the rows rnnningapproximately parallel to said axis and the different rows arrangedangularly about said axis, said pockets of the diiferent rows divergingfrom one another outwardly from adjacent said axis, the outer ends ofsaid pockets being open, .a guard beneath said element and extendingalong the path of travel of the open ends of said pockets to connebottles therein from a position at one side of the element where thepockets are descending to the opposite side where the pockets arerisingVa washer having a conveyor with rows of pockets therein movablepast one side of said element in proximity to the open ends of thepocketsthereof and beyond the end of said guard at the rising sidethereof, means for imparting increments ,of movement to said conveyor tobring successive rows of pockets thereof into aligned positions withpockets of said element at the rising side thereof, a member extendingalong `each row of pockets and shiftable in a' direction lengthwise ofthe pockets of that row to eject bottles from that row, and operable tocause simultaneous ejection of all bottles from the pockets of that row,and means for directing streams of liquid into the bottles held ininverted positions in said pockets by said guard. y

16. A pre-rinse device for bottle washing machines, and the like, whichcomprises pocket means for receiving bottles in generally uprightpositions, moving them in a desired path through inverted positionsalways in the samedirection to discharge positions, and there releasingthem,

and means disposed beneath said path of travel through invertedpositions and towards upright positions to a. desired discharge point,and directing a pre-rinse stream of liquid into the bottles While ininverted positions at an intermediate 5 point in said path.

JOHN P. MCKINLEY. WILBERT P, ACKLAND.

